title: Internet-delivered therapist-guided physical activity for mild to moderate depression: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Objective. The main hypothesis, and the objective of the study, was to test if the participants allocated to the treatment group would show a larger reduction in depressive symptoms than those in the control group. Methods. This study was a randomized nine week trial of an Internet-administered treatment based on guided physical exercise for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). A total of 48 participants with mild to moderate depression, diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, were randomized either to a treatment intervention or to a waiting-list control group. The main outcome measure for depression was the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and physical activity level was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The treatment program consisted of nine text modules, and included therapist guidance on a weekly basis. Results. The results showed significant reductions of depressive symptoms in the treatment group compared to the control group, with a moderate between-group effect size (Cohen's d = 0.67; 95% confidence interval: 0.09-1.25). No difference was found between the groups with regards to increase of physical activity level. For the treatment group, the reduction in depressive symptoms persisted at six months follow-up. Conclusions. Physical activity as a treatment for depression can be delivered in the form of guided Internet-based self-help. Trial Registration. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01573130).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Umeå University , Sweden.
authors.forename: Morgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ström
authors.forename: Carl-Johan
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Uckelstam
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hassmén
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Umefjord
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carlbring
keywords: Depression; Internet; Physical activity; Psychotherapy; RCT; Treatment